What about COVID?
The July 17, 2021, Los Angeles County mask mandate requires masks for all people indoors in public spaces, regardless of their personal vaccination status.
HoFoCo welcomes volunteers at the Community Exchange during the Covid-19 Pandemic. All volunteers are required to wear a mask which we can provide.
Volunteers with any flu-like symptoms are not allowed to come to The Exchange. If you are not feeling well, please let us know and stay home until you feel better and have tested negative for COVID.
Should a volunteer test positive for COVID within 4 days of volunteering with us, we should be notified immediately so we can inform staff and volunteers who were in The Exchange during the same time.
FAQs FOR INDIVIDUAL & GROUP VOLUNTEERS
What should I wear to volunteer?
- Closed-toed shoes (No heels, open-toed shoes, or sandals are allowed)
- Comfortable clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes
- Bring a sweater or jacket (for the walk-in fridge and freezer)
Where do I park?
Please find parking on the street. Carpooling is highly recommended.
Are there any rules I need to know about?
Yes. Please review the following rules before volunteering with us:
- No eating, drinking, running, or smoking in the Exchange warehouse
- Volunteers should report to staff if you need to leave prior to shift ending
- Cleanup is part of our work
I have additional questions. Who can I contact?
Contact our Volunteer Team to learn more about becoming a Hollywood Food Coalition volunteer, and to have questions answered that are not addressed on this FAQ page.
FAQs FOR INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS ONLY
Registration for Individuals:
How far in advance should I sign up?
We recommend that individuals register at least a month in advance to ensure you get your preferred date and time. However, check our schedule – you might be able to volunteer tomorrow!
What is the time commitment required to volunteer?
Each shift is about 4 hours. If you can, we would like our volunteers to commit to a minimum of two volunteer shifts a month.
How do I register to volunteer as an individual?
First-time volunteers:
- Go to our volunteer registration system (Sign Up Genius)
- Create a login and password
- Please be sure to store your login information for future use
- Once registered and logged in, select your shift
- A confirmation email will be sent to you
Returning volunteers:
- Log in
- Select a shift
- You will receive a confirmation email
Do you have to be a certain age to volunteer for the Community Exchange?
Yes. Everyone must be at least 16 years of age. Those under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian.
Does everyone under 18 need permission from their parents?
Yes. Every volunteer under 18 must have a signed waiver on file with us. Youth must register their information and include an accurate email address for their parent or guardian. The waiver needs to be updated with current information, but only needs to be signed once every 6 months.
Do I need to have prior experience?
No! Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome. We have skilled staff and volunteer leaders on site to explain and supervise each task. If you are not comfortable with a task, you can simply ask to do something else.
The shift I want is full, can I still come?
No, everyone must register ahead of time; we do not accept walk-ins. If the shift is full, please select another shift or date.
Can I edit or cancel my sign-up?
Yes. You can edit the details of your signup or cancel by logging back into Sign Up Genius with the original email and password you used for your signup.
Once you have logged in, navigate to SignUps, then the “Invited To” section where you should see any shifts you are currently signed up for. You can edit the details of your signup (number of attendees, comments, etc.) by clicking the pencil icon to the right or cancel your signup by clicking on the X icon.
What if I’m running late or need to cancel at the last minute?
Please Call or Text 323-840-1333. Let us know.
FAQs FOR VOLUNTEER GROUPS ONLY
Registration for Groups:
What is a Group?
A group is a minimum of five and no more than 10 people.
Advance registration for Groups:
We recommend that you register three to four months in advance.
How do I register my group to volunteer?
To register your group, please email or call us
Can groups of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities volunteer?
We do allow groups of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to volunteer. However, pre-approval and advanced registration is required. It’s important to note that the Exchange environment is fast paced with a lot of noise and movement.
Please email to begin the application process.
Do you verify service hours for school?
Yes! You can satisfy your school-service requirement while helping to end hunger in our community. We have volunteer opportunities sorting food in our warehouse and distributing food to the community that are very rewarding experiences for students.
Alert Us to Changes!
Please help us be prepared for your group. We rely on volunteers and if your numbers change it will affect the efficiency of our daily operation. We encourage group leaders to monitor their group size in advance and contact us if the expected number decreases.
What if my group needs to cancel or reschedule?
If your group needs to cancel or reschedule, please email or call us.
What if we’re running late?
Please Call or Text 323-840-1333. Let us know.